Coronavirus in Karnataka: Kodagu records 1st positive case, village cordoned off

MADIKERI: Deputy commissioner C Annies Kanmani Joy imposed Section 144 (prohibit the assembly of four or more people and restricting movement) across Kodagu district after a 35-year-old man tested positive for Covid-19, the first from the district.
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The area in the vicinity of the affected person’s home in Kodangeri village, about 21km from Madikeri, was declared a 500m containment zone.There are 75 families — about 300 people — living in the vicinity. The district administration also asked all commercial establishments, except those dealing with essential goods and services, to close.
Authorities say the 35-yearold man arrived at Kempegowda International Airport from Dubai on March 15 at 4.30pm. In Bengaluru, he boarded a KSRTC bus to Murnad via Madikeri which departed at 11.33pm. From Murnad bus stand, he took an auto to his home in Kuthimotte village. He stayed in the village on March 16 and was in isolation from March 17. He tested positive on Thursday.
“He is stable and under treatment,” said Joy. “He was checked at Bengaluru airport, but showed no symptoms. He was advised home quarantine. We are tracing his movements over the past few days.”
As soon as it was confirmed the man was infected with Covid-19, the administration swung into action. Senior officials of the health department rushed to the village and the 75 families in were kept under surveillance. The administration has ramped up the number of beds in the isolation ward, to possibly accommodate more suspected cases.
The auto driver who ferried the patient from Murnad to his residence has also been quarantined after he complained of cold, cough and fever. His samples have been sent to Mysuru for testing.
Police and health department authorities have blocked all access to Kondageri area from both Madikeri and Virajpet taluks as a prevention measure. The curbs will be in place for 14 days. Food and other essential items will be supplied to the families as shops will stay closed. Authorities said 180 people are currently in home quarantine, including five foreigners in resorts.
Following the positive test, people in the area were scared and decided to stay indoors. KG Lokesh, local gram panchayat member, said many from the village work in the Middle East and travel frequently. He said the patient met several people from the village prior to being admitted in hospital.
Contact tracing
Meanwhile, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) on Thursday issued a plea asking all those who travelled on the Rajahamsa bus (KA19F3170) along with the patient to report to the nearest hospital. The bus left Mysuru Road satellite bus terminus at 11:35pm. “A total 38 passengers including 33 unreserved passengers travelled on the bus. All five reserved passengers in that bus were informed over phone to report immediately to the hospital for further checkup. We also communicated through various social media sites” said a KSRTC release. “The crew members and their families were taken for immediate medical checkup at district hospital,” it said.